Well I had quit drinking for 14 years until about a 14 months ago. Then after a while I noticed I felt depressed for a couple weeks after a night of moderate drinking, so I decided to stop drinking again. I haven't had any alcohol since Halloween (my nieces birthday). I smoke cigerattes about 1.5 - 2 packs a day, but I don't mind that very much. I think it actually makes me feel better.
If you want to slow down then do it. Getting totaled isn't all that fun anyway. Just drink enough to get a light buzz and enjoy the comedy of your friends. To be honest after I quit drinking the first time I used to still go to parties and found out that I was scared of the behavior of some of my friends as they were drinking.